IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|
| Hartmann, M. | |
| A Species-specific Feeding Technique designed for European Wildcats (_Felis s. silvestris_) in Captivity | |
| 2000 S„ugetierkundliche Informationen (4): 567-575 | |
Under captive conditions, predators such as European wildcats as a rule cannot exhibit the full range of their natural behaviours. Usually, hunting behaviour, wich is a central activity in the wild, is absent in zoos. In the present study I designed an electronic feeder which is tailored to European wildcats in captivity. This feeding device exposes wildcats to conditions typically encountered when hunting in the wild. The data of the present study suggest that the electronic feeder is superior both to traditional feeding methods and even to that of presenting live prey. The new technique elicits many essential components of feline hunting behaviour (e.g. waiting, listening, being alert, exploring) in addition to the catching and biting behaviours shown when live prey is presented. Wildcats exposed to the electronic feeder display a significantly higher percentage of overall alertness, both preceding and following the feeding, than do cats fed in the traditional manner. The percentage of post-feeding locomotory actions is higher in traditionally fed wildcats than in animals under the electronic feeder conditions. However, some of the behaviours shown by the former group during this period of high activity consisted in stereotyped pacing. None of the wildcats exposed to the electronic feeder ever exhibited any behavioural disturbances. Finally, the new feeding device is readily applicable to other small felids in captivity. |
|
 |
PDF files are only accessible to Friends of the Cat Group. Joining Friends of the Cat Group gives you unlimited access and downloads in the Cat SG Library for one year, and allows you to receive our newsletter Cat News (2 regular issues per year plus special issues). More information how to join here |
(c) IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group ( IUCN - The World Conservation Union) |